Quilinestia
Map: N23
Many of the Qualinesti Elves chose to remove themselves further from human cities, and most of them make their home in Quilinestia and the surrounding forests. Other elves and humans are welcome enough, but this is the Qualinesti cultural and political capital.
Built near the headwaters of the Qualinost River, where it is joined by the Gâthflow, it has natural moats on two sides connected by a well dug deep artificial moat on the third. The city is accessed by three bridges, each rigged for collapse or removal, and each bridge is protected by a strong barbican on both banks.
Quilinestia is a strong fortress, surrounded by forest re-imagining itself as an elven homeland. It is a considerable city, but with an elven bent. Woodcarving and livesculpting, silk from domestcated moths, and rare fruits and herbs are their primary exports. Their brandies and tinctures are highly prized, with near magical properties attributed to them. Some of their silk is woven and dyed into beautiful fabrics, but a great deal is made into rope, or string, or kept as thread.
Some exceptional crystals and gems come from the karst caves of the Gâthflow country, though the elves only take those the earth is ready to part with. Rumors of deep crystal caves abound, but the elves discourage outside explorers and the country is very dangerous. Some limestone and marble are sustainability quarried for their own use in building and sculpture.
The rapid current of the Qualinost River makes short work of the three hundred miles to where it joins the sluggish Stronghold River just above Harnia for small craft, though the return voyage is slower. Still, elven boat pilots running throughout the night can get their fruits to market in Nexus Prime or the cities of the Dargonesti Sound still practically fresh from the picking.
Overland trade with Duke Rocha's folk to the East is common. Caravans of Odin's Folk pass through traveling between OF#2 and OF#3 fairly regularly.